DU, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), recently completed construction on the first phase of a two-phase project on Hog Island Wildlife Management Area in Surry County. Hog Island WMA, one of the primary waterfowl complexes and historic colonial areas in Virginia, is a 1,300-acre state game land across the James River from Williamsburg, Virginia.

The first phase of this project enhanced 1,100 acres of managed wetlands on the WMA utilized by the public for hunting, birding and recreational activities. Managed wetlands are critical to wildlife since a large portion of the original wetland acreage in the state has been lost and wetland habitat throughout the state continues to decline. Waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and other wetland dependent wildlife will greatly benefit from enhanced foraging and wintering habitat provided by this project.